Dacia Spring: Affordable Electric Car Gets a Modern Makeover
Electric vehicles (EVs) are often associated with higher costs compared to traditional combustion engine cars. However, the Dacia Spring defies this trend as Europe’s most budget-friendly electric car. It offers a price comparable to similar-sized gas-powered city cars, especially when government incentives are included. With its recent redesign, Dacia aims to draw buyers with more than just affordability.
Revamped Exterior
The new Dacia Spring remains fundamentally the same vehicle, originating from the Renault Kwid which is popular in India and South America. While the initial model resembled the Kwid, the 2024 Spring features a contemporary design that harmonizes with the current Dacia lineup. It boasts two-tier headlight clusters and newly designed LED daytime running lights that connect visually with the faux grille, giving it a sleek, modern look. Although the side profile hasn’t changed much, the rear has been redesigned to match the fresh front-end look.
Key Exterior Upgrades:
- Redesigned LED daytime running lights
- Two-tier headlight clusters
- New color options like Brick Red and Beige Safari
- 15-inch alloy wheels on Expression and Extreme trims
- Redesigned 14-inch hubcaps on base Essential model
Interior Overhaul
Inside, the changes are more noticeable. Dacia has completely revamped the dashboard, replacing the old part-analog gauge cluster with a 7-inch digital display standard across all trims. While the Essential and Expression trims provide a space atop the dash for smartphones, the Extreme trim features a 10-inch infotainment screen running on an Android Automotive-based system, supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Interior Enhancements:
- 7-inch digital display standard on all trims
- 10-inch infotainment screen on Extreme trim
- Freshly designed seats with enhanced comfort
- Height-adjustable steering wheel
- Modern transmission selector replacing the old lever
Improved Comfort and Storage
The upgraded seats and adjustable steering wheel address previous complaints about the driving comfort. Additionally, the Spring offers enhanced storage with a 10.9 cubic foot trunk, expandable to 35.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Surprisingly, the Spring even includes a small frunk, offering 1.2 cubic feet of space for items like the charging cable.
Comfort and Storage Highlights:
- Newly designed, more comfortable seats
- Adjustable steering wheel
- Elevated trunk space
- 1.2 cubic foot front storage compartment
Motor and Battery Options
One criticism of the original Dacia Spring was its slow acceleration. To address this, Dacia now offers two motor options: a 45-horsepower motor, taking over 18 seconds to reach 60 mph, and a more powerful 65-horsepower motor, reducing the time to a more acceptable 13 seconds. Both options have a top speed of 78 mph.
Motor and Performance Specs:
- 45-horsepower motor (18+ seconds to 60 mph)
- 65-horsepower motor (13 seconds to 60 mph)
- Top speed: 78 mph
Battery and Charging
The Spring continues to use a 27.4-kilowatt-hour air-cooled battery with a reported WLTP range of 136 miles. Though unchanged from the previous model, the battery realistically provides about 100 miles per charge with city driving. Charging capabilities remain the same, with a 7-kilowatt AC charger standard, requiring about 4 hours to charge from 10 to 80%. Optional is a 30-kilowatt DC fast charger, reducing charging time to 45 minutes.
Battery and Charging Details:
- 27.4 kWh battery
- 136-mile WLTP range
- 7 kW AC charger (4 hours from 10 to 80%)
- 30 kW DC fast charger (45 minutes to 80%)
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability
Pricing and Incentives
Price remains a key advantage for the Spring, starting at €16,900 ($18,430) for the Essential model, while the top-tier Extreme trim costs €19,900 ($21,702). Even with reduced incentives in 2024, many European countries still offer substantial financial support for EV purchases. In Romania, after incentives, the base model Spring can be bought for as low as €11,900 ($12,978).
Pricing Insights:
- Base Essential model: €16,900 ($18,430)
- Extreme trim: €19,900 ($21,702)
- Post-incentive price in Romania: €11,900 ($12,978)
Conclusion
The Dacia Spring’s redesign successfully enhances its visual appeal and comfort without compromising its affordability. While its budget-friendly price remains its strongest selling point, the modern updates in design and technology make it an even more attractive option for first-time EV buyers. As Dacia continues to innovate while keeping costs low, the Spring is poised to maintain its position as a popular choice in the European EV market.
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5 Comments
Wow, Dacia really outdone themselves with this one! Finally a modern electric car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. The design looks sleek and those new LED lights are a great touch. Cant wait to test drive it!
Seriously? 18 seconds to reach 60 mph? And even the ‘better’ option takes 13 seconds?? I might as well get out and push. This is a joke.
For people looking for an affordable entry-point into the EV market, Dacia Spring could be an ideal choice. It offers practical features like improved storage and comfort, along with reasonable pricing, especially with government incentives. The new digital display and infotainment upgrades are also notable.
Oh great, more ‘budget-friendly’ EVs that still won’t get you anywhere on a single charge. 100 miles per charge in city driving? Guess I’ll just stick to my bicycle. At least that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
Luv the new design n the affordable price is still gr8. Those new seat must be comfy, n the frunk is a cute surprise! Can’t believe they fitting so much into such small car. Dacia is killing it!